Type-writing machine.



A. S. DENNIS. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION HLED act. a. ma.

Patented m, 19, 191&

2 SHEETS-S HEET Im'l/l/M A. S; DENNIS.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 8, I913- 24 This This is a mama Feb. 19,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2..

UNITED STATES PATENT oE IoE.

ADOLIPHUS S. DENNIS, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO, .ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

Application filed October 8, 1913. Serial No. 793,996.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLPHUS S. DENNIS,

aci'tizenof the United States, residing in enable a number of work-sheets to be accurately positioned one in advance of another,to permit writin at difierent relative positions on the work-s ieets.

The principal feature of the present invention consists in the use of a scale or index connected to travel or rotate with the platen,

of, rotation of the and cooperating with the work-sheet feeding and gaging mechanism to indicate the extent laten between the placingot. succeeding sieets thereon, and thereby enable the several work-sheetsto be placed in any pre-determined relative posi- :ftion'w'ith their leading edges at different de- 5 grees in advance of one another.

Mechanism for gaging and feeding the wworlesheets 'is also herein shown, although such mechanism may be varied within the scope of the present invention.

The traveling scale or. indicator may consist ofj-a wheel or disk mounted to rotate with the platen, and provided on its periphery with a series of numbers arranged in reversed order so as to be brought in a .de-

scending order to indicating position as the platen is rotated forwardly, said numbers spaced to correspond to line-space intervals,

that is, the angular distance between any two numbers on the scale is equal to the angular rotation of the platen required to feed a work-sheet the distance from one to the other of the lines represented by said numbers. The index may thus be used to indicate the positions to which the platen should be rotated prior to the introduction of the work-sheets, to enable said worksheets to be placed in any desired relative position in the machine. f I I If, for example, it is desired to superpose two work-sheets on the platen in such relationthat the first line of writing onthe first work-sheet will be at line numbered 24, and

the introductory side of the platen.

on the second sheet at line numbered 16- (the lines being numbered on the work-sheets), the index disk is rotated to bring the number 24 thereon opposite a cooperating pointer or gage. The first work-sheet is then gaged on the machine and fed forwardly by rotating the platen until number 16 appears opposite the index gage. A second work-sheetis then gaged on the machine and fed forwardly until the number 16 thereon appears at the writing line. The work-sheets are now in position to be written on, so that the first line. of writin will appear on line 2i 'on the first sheet an on line 16 on the second sheet. Additional sheets may likewise be placed at any de-' sired positions relative to the other sheets.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. I 1n the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention as adapted to an Underwood front-strike writing machine,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the platen frame and platen in combination with the mechanism comprising my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a number of work-sheets arranged with their leading edges at diiferent positions of advancement.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional side elevation views illustrating different steps in the positioning and gaging of work-sheets on the platen. Fig. 3 shows a work-sheet dropped into position behind the platen, the leading edge resting against the platen and auxiliary feed roll. Fig. 4 shows the auxiliary feed roll retracted and the gage thrown forward to' receive the leading edge of the work-sheet, which has dropped down on the gage. Fig. 5 shows the first work-sheet advanced over the platen, and. a second work-sheet placed behind the first and in position on the gage.

The usual rotary platen l is provided with an axle 2 journaled in the ends 3 and 4-. of the platen frame, comprising a paper shelf 5 connectingsaid ends andlocated at. The platen may be rotated either by hand. wheels 6 secured to the platen axle or, by the usualline-spacing mechanism comprising a linespace ratchet wheel 7, a pawl-carrying slide 7 actuated by the usual line-space lever, and

to the p aten and carried at t by leaf springs j to lift the pressure rolls and at the same time swing the gage 19 in- .in the platen fname. shaft 24 are depending gages 9 may be attached to the board 8 for gaging the side edges of the work-sheets.

At the under side of the platen are the usual front and rear feed rollers 10 and 11 on roller shafts 10 and 11,- carried respectively on levers 12 and13 journaled'ou a tie-rod 14.- parallel with the platen, said levers having depending arms 15 which engage recesses or flattened. ortions of a rock shaft 16, which, when roe ed by depressing the finger'key 17'having the usual connection with the end of the .shaft 16, rotates the latter and by spreading the arms 15 lifts the pressure rollers 10 and 11 off of the platen, said rollersbeing normally yieldmg y held against the platen by spring cli s 18.

l he mechanism'for gaging 'the leading edges of the work-sheets, as they are intro duced at the rearof the latentmay comage 19 substantia' 1y 1perpendicular 1e lower ends of levers 20, fulcrumd at 21 to brackets and at their upper ends pivoted .to rock arms 23 'fixed to a rock shaft 24: journalerl Fixed to said rock arms .25 carryin at prise a their lower ends an 26 on which are mounted auxiliary pressure rolls 26 normally held against the platen 27. A finger lever 28 fixed to the rock shaft 24"operates when depressed 26 from the platen wardly against the platen, the age being normally held away from the p aten so as not tointerfere with the feeding of the work-sheets.

To place a work-sheet in position on the laten for writing, the sheet-is dropped beliind the platen to the Fig.3 position, the handle 28 then depressed to retract the pressure rolls 26 and permit the sheet to drop on the gage 1-9 as shown in Fig.4.- ,The sheet 'is thus accurately alined, and when the finger lever 28 is released, the pressure roll 26 grips the sheet against the platen,

so that the latter may be rotated and the sheet fed forwardly without being thrown out of alinement. I To insure a positive feed of ,the worksheets and maintain them in accurate alinement, the pressure rolls arepreferably positively driven by means-of pinions 29 and 30 connected respectively to the shafts-26 and 11 carrying the pressure rolls 26 and 1]., said pinions-meshing with a gear wheel 31 on the platen axle. Said p nions are connected to the pressure roll shafts by short sections '32 having universal joint connecauxiliary roll shaft tions with the shafts and pinions, such connections permitting the pressure rolls to be lifted from the platen without disturbing the relation of the intermeshing gear and pinions. The forward pressure rolls 10 may be positively driven by rubber bands or other belt 33 running on suitable pulleys on the shafts 1O and 11., said belts bearing against the platen between the forward and rearward pressure rolls.

A line indicator or index, adapted to enable' the operative to position work-sheets on the platen with their leading edges at any desired'relative positions, one in advance-of the other, or in other words, to

permit the work-sheets to be so positionedperiphery a series of indicating characters as figures 35.

may,

A pointer or index finger 36 forming an I indicator gage, fixed in the platen frame extends over the periphery of the disk, so that any number on the disk may be brought to a definite position relative to the said gage. The numbers are preferably, arranged in an invers order, or in other words,'s'o that as the p aten is rotated forwardly, the numbers are brought opposite the indicator in a descending scale. For convenience, only the alternate numbers may appear on the scale, as for example, the even numbers as 22, 20, etc- The numbers are also preferably spaced at angular distances cor-responding 'to line-space intervals on the platen, thus, for example, if the platen is rotated forwardly from the position shown,

in which the number 24 appears over the index finger 36 to bring the number 20 to such position, the platen will be "rotated'a distance of four line-spaces.

The index numbers 35 are also preferably arranged so that the scale may beused to indicate line-space intervals greater than a complete rotation thelower numbers such as 22, 20, 18, etc.. alternate with higher numbers'as 54, 52, etc, said-higher numbers each representing a complete rotation of the platen in advance of the position that would be designated by a lower number at the point on. the indicator. the indicating number osition that wduld-be occupied by the numer 21, if the latter were placed on the scale; the difference between these two numbers' 54 and 21, namely, '33 indicates the number of line-spaces in the circumference of the platen or that a work-sheet would be advanced duringa complete rotation of the platen.

In Fig. 2 are shown diagrammatically Thus, for example, 54 appears in the of the platen; that is,

same

, three'worksheets 37, 38 and 39 with their leading edges 40 at different distances of advancement. The work-sheet are preferably each provided with a series of marg'inal numbers 41, spaced to correspond with the line-.spacing'of the machine with which they are used, and said numbers are utilized 37," 38 and'39 on the'machine in such positibn that the first line of writing vwill be I v at the line numbered 24 on the first wo'rk sheet 37, line numbered 16 on the second worksheet '38 and line numbered 10 on yth'e thirdwork-sheet 39, the operation of plac.inthe'sheets in such position is substantia lyas follows.

The platen is first rotated until the index wheel 34 is in such position that the index 'numberf 24 (answering to line '24 on the first-sheet) appears directly over the index finger 3611s shown in Fig. 1. The first sheet 37 isjthen dro ped with-its leading edge downward to te Fig.3 position, the gage lever 28 thendepressedto the Fig. 4 posi- .tion, allowing the sheet. 37 to be. accurately glage .19; the lever28 is then t e platen rotatedforwardly until the index number 16" on the wheel 3}, corresponding to line 16 on the second work '-.sheet,' appears above the index finger 36.

} -It-will be noted that durin this rotation the first work-sheet has been ed forwardly, so that its leading edge is eight line-space distancesbeyond the 'gage 19. The second work-sheet is now placed in position behind the first work-sheet and the gage lever again depressed to allow the second work-sheet to drop on the gage and thus be accurately alined with respect to the first sheet, said first sheet being'sec'urely held againstdisplacement by t e platen and .pressure rolls .10 and 11. A carbon "sheet 42, may now be placed between the two work-sheets and the platen again rotated, this time to'bring the ndex number 10 to a position over. the indegr ,finger.. 36. This second rotation, it Will -be noted, .is the distance of six linespaces, that is, the difi'erence between lines 10 and 16 on thesecond and third worksheets. The third work-sheet 39 is now placed on the machine and gaged, and a second. carbon, fshcct placed between the secend and third work-sheets.

The work-sheets-are. now in the relative position of advancement indicated in Fi 2, namely, with line 10 of the third wor sheet directly overlinc 16 of ,the second work-s heet,', and over line 24 of the first work-sheet, The laten may now be rotated forwardly until line. 10 on the third work- 'sheetis'over the printing line on the platen,

such position being indicated by the gage 43,

Fig. 3. The machine may now be operated in the usual way-to print any desired matter on the work-sheets, such printed matter appearing on lines 24, 16, and 10 respectively of the three worksheets.

It will thus be seen that by means of the indicating device 34 in-conjunction with the gaging means, the work-sheets may be read- 7 indicating device 34 enables the operativeto place one sheet in advance of another on the platen any desired number of line-spaces,

entirely independent of any markings ap-' pearing in the work-sheets.

Although the indicator 34 is in the form of a'disk secured to the platen axle, it will be understood that the invention comprehends broadly an indicating device movable in unison with the rotation of the platen,

whether connected to rotate with the platen or otherwise operated, so that its speed will bear a definite ratio to that of the platen.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

' Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. Thecombination', with a rotary platen, and feed-rolls cobperative with said platen for feeding a plurality of superposed workpieces thercaround; of a gage located at the introductory side of said platen for positioning the leading edges of the successive work-pieces; an auxiliary feeding device movable into and out of cobperative relation to said platen, so as to alternately hold a. .work-piece in gaged position against the same for rotation therewith, and release such work-piece to permit the next one to be gaged; and a device for indicating the extent of angular or line-space rotation of the platen and the work-piece or pieces thereon, said indicating device having line-numbers thereon running reversely with respect to the line-feeding movement of the platen,

thereby to enable the platen to be initially rotated to a prede ermined line-space position corresponding to that of the first line of writing on the first work-piece to be introduced; and also. to enable each work-v to that of the first line of writing on the next work-piece to be introduced; all of the Work-pieces, after having been so positioned,

being subsequently fed around the platen in unison in such relation, first to the printing 5 point, and thereafter throughout the entire printing operation.

2. The combination with a revoluble laten, of means for collatin or superposmg sheets in different set relationships thereon, so that all of the sheets may be written on at a single operation, but so that the line of writing will fall in different places u on the several sheets respect to their lea mg edges, said means 'comprising'a gage at the introductory side of the, platen, a sheet collating scale and an index for the-leading edge of the sheet, said scale having linenumbers thereon running reversely withres act to the line-feeding movement of the -p aten, said scale and index cotiperative to determine the extent to which the platen shall advance the first sheet from its gaged position preparatory togpging the second sheet to permit a second act to bemserted and aged by said gage. I

- 3. %[he combination with a revoluble platen, ofmeans for collating or superposing sheets ,in difi'erent relationships thereon, so that all of the sheets may be written'on at a single an operation but so that the line of writing will fall in difi'erent places upon the several sheets in respect to their leading edges, said means comprisingan end gage at the intro: ductory side of the platen, said gage movable Slig'to and from gaging osition and a lead- 5 ing-edgecollating sca c, said scale ha nng l-line-numbers thereon running reversely with respect to the line-feeding movement of the platen, said scale settable to determine the 10 position of the platen for each movement of the gage to gaging position, whereby the leading edges of the several sheets are 1ntroduced the proper distance behind one another, and means for feeding all of sa1d sheets to the printing point of the platen.

4. The combination with a revoluble platen, of a line scale connected to said platen, said scale having line-numbers thereon runnin reversely' with respect to the 60' line feeding movement of the platen, a, platen frame having an index to coiiperate with said scale, a main feed roll to run on said plate'n, a normally withdrawn gage for the leading edge of the sheet, said gage arranged at the introductory side of the platen to gage the sheet preparatory to being advanced to said main feed roll, and an auxiliary feed roll or' device movable to and from the platen independently of said main feed roll and placed at the introductory side ofv the platen in roximityto said gage, to hold against the p aten the sheet which has been located by means of said gage, and to remain pressing the sheet against the platen while the gage is withdrawn, to feed sa d sheet to said main feed roll; said gage being between said rolls.

5. The combination with a revoluble platen, of means for collating or superposing sheets in different set relationships thereon, so that all of the sheets may be written on at a single operation, but so that the line of writing will fall in different places upon the several sheets, comprising a main feed roll to run on the platen, means for dilfer entially engaging the leading edges of successive sheets in advance one of another to the desired extent, said differentially engaging means comprising (1) a gage at the introductory side of the platen, (2) means to withdraw the gage, (3) means to hold the gaged sheet against the plate rto coiiperate therewith to advance the gag d sheet to the main feed'roll, and (4) a sheet-collating scale and index for the leading edges of the sheets, said scale havingline-numbers thereon running reversely with respect to the line-feeding movement of the platen, said scale and index coiiperative to determine the extent to which the platen and main feed roll shall advance the first sheet from its, gaged position, preparatory to resetting the gage to the platen and withdrawing the temporary holder, to permit a second sheet to be inserted back of the first sheet and gaged by said gage while the first sheet remains helld against the platen by said main feed r0 6. In a typewritin g machine, the combination with a revoluble platen, of a main feed P011 to run on' said platen, a normally withdrawn gage for the leading edge of the sheet, said gage arranged at the introductory side of the-platen to gage the sheetpreparatory to being advanced to said main feed roll, and an auxiliary feed roll movable to and from the platen independently of said main feed roll and placed at the introductory side of the platen in proximity to said gage, to hold against the platen the sheet which has been located by means of said gage, and to remain pressing the sheet against the-platen while the gage is withdrawn, to feed said sheet to said main feed roll, said gage being betweensaid rolls.

7. The combination with a revoluble platen, of means for mechanically selecting different line-numbers on consecutively inserted superposed work-sheets on which the first line, of writing is to fall, comprising 120 a releasable leading-edge gage, a leading-edge scale for the, platen, an index for said scale, the line-numbers on the scale running reversely with respect to the linefeeding movement of the platen, tocorre spond with line-numbers placed on the faces of the work-sheets and running from top to bottom of the sheets, whereby the line-number on the sheet on which the first line of writing is to fall may be mechanically se- 130 lected for each successive one of the superently releasable sheet-feedir n. tans at the posfid sheets kiy hfirst (fuming the plllaten in introductory side of the gag; eac ease unti t e in ex points to t e numg; '1 ber selected for that sheet, preparatory to ADOLPHUS DENNIS 5 gaging the leading edge of such sheet by Witnesses:

said gage, sheet-feeding means between the B. GOLDBERG, gage and the printing point, and independ- E. B. LIBBEY. 

